News

Cambridge Neuroscientist generates national press interest

The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) hosted their 2010 Spring Symposium on the 14th April at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, and explored a number of regenerative themes including developmental regeneration, the application of cell therapy in spinal cord, stroke and Parkinson's disease, with discussions on the ethical and commercial aspects of a regenerative medicine for the brain.

This one day symposium attracted neuroscientists from across the UK and featured presentations by Cambridge Neuroscientists, Professors Andrea Brand (left) discussing: From stem cells to neurons: the regulation of genetic networks and Robin Franklin (right) discussing Remyelination of the spinal cord.

The day not only stimulated interesting discussions but also generated national press interest including the Independent reporting on Andrea's research. Andrea studies the simpler nervous system of the fruit fly, to find the genes that are involved in turning stem cells off, and on. 

Andrea explained to the Independent:

"We know that stem cells will sometimes go to sleep and we're studying ways of reactivating them. This is really key because what we'd like to do eventually in terms of repairing the brain is to reactivate someone's own stem cells in situ to give rise, hopefully, to the neurons that will replace those that have been damaged (in brain injury),"

To access the full Independent article reporting on the BNA Spring Symposium please click here.

For further information regarding this event and future events by British Neuroscience Association please click here.

Article written by Dr. Hannah Critchlow, Cambridge Neuroscience Coordinator.

Posted on 04/02/2010